Assessment of the general knowledge, transmission knowledge and prevention knowledge of AIDS at a manufacturing company.

Abstract:

The intentions of this research were to determine the general knowledge, transmission knowledge and prevention knowledge of AIDS prior to commencing an AIDS awareness-training programme; establish the general knowledge, transmission knowledge and prevention knowledge of AIDS after completing an AIDS awarenesstraining programme; to determine whether there is a significant difference in the subject's general knowledge, transmission knowledge and prevention knowledge of AIDS after completing an AIDS awareness-training programme and to establish whether there is a significant difference between the pre-test and retest scores in terms of general knowledge, transmission knowledge and prevention knowledge of AIDS, among the respective biographical variables. The results of the study established that all participants had some General Knowledge, Transmission Knowledge and Prevention Knowledge on AIDS. Employees who participated in the programme had improved their knowledge on AIDS after attending the training programme. The results of the study had found no significant difference between pre-test and retest score for age groups, race groups, religious groups, marital status groups and language groups. The results did however indicate some variation in pre-test scores and retest scores between the gender groups. The literature review examined AIDS from a biological perspective, a global and South African perspective and an Industrial relations perspective. The workplace issues pertaining to AIDS were discussed and responses to the AIDS crisis were highlighted. AIDS policies, training programmes and employee's assistance programmes were analysed, as options for organisations, in their fight against AIDS. A questionnaire was used to establish the general knowledge, transmission knowledge and prevention knowledge of AIDS of the 307 employees that participated in the programme. The findings in this study support the perception by companies that providing awareness training programmes will assist by increasing the knowledge of what is AIDS, how is it transmitted and how it can be prevented. This study revealed that after a training programme, employees were more knowledgeable on AIDS than before the training programme.